Facial skin care: tips for women with combination skin

What is combination skin?

Combination skin describes skin that shows different characteristics over the total area. One area may be extremely dry and flaky; the other might be oily and prone to acne breakouts.

Most combination skin problems can be traced back to the T-zone. The T-zone is the part of the face that begins at the forehead, moving downward to the nose, mouth area, and the chin. It's called a T-zone because this pattern is shaped like the letter T.

The T-zone tends to be oilier than other parts of the face because the areas indicated contain more oil glands. Excess oil leads to blackheads, whiteheads and the formation of large pores. While the rest of the face may be normal or dry, the T-zone looks shiny and greasy within minutes of cleansing.

For many people, the area not inside the T-zone causes the most difficulty. Dryness, flaking, and scaling skin can be a frequent--and embarrassing--problem.

Caring for combination skin

If you have determined that you have combination skin, the products you use to care for it are very important. Before you begin spot-treatments for your problem areas, however, remember to first attend to your face as a whole.

Cleanse your face with a mild cleanser up to twice daily. Washing your face less than this could leave excess dirt and oil to clog your pores. Washing more than twice daily could suck moisture out of your dry areas, causing redness and irritation.

For Oily Areas

If you apply moisturizers, use only oil-free types, and use minimally. Apply a gentle astringent or a toner formulated for combination skin upon these areas. Use oil-free and/or oil-absorbing cosmetics on these areas to control shine. Matte-type foundation and dusting powders help to absorb oil. Removing make-up each might before bed is important because oil-prone areas can thrive under make-up.

At least once each week, apply a mask formulated to fight oil and blackheads. Only apply it to your oily areas! A natural--and inexpensive--alternative is oatmeal. Add a tiny bit of water and apply to the face. Let it sit until it dries.

Hair care can sometimes play a role in oily skin. If your hair holds grease and oils, wash it at least every other day with an oil-reducing shampoo.

For Dry Areas

Avoid alcohol-based cleansers, and don’t use soaps since they tend to have a drying effect. Wash the normal-to-dry areas of your face very gently. Don’t scrub or rub too hard; to do so could cause over-drying and irritation. Use astringent sparingly. Then apply a moisture-rich cream or moisturizer. Make sure to avoid your T-zone or the oiliest part of your face--it doesn’t need any more oil.

To Promote Balance

Products with alpha hydroxy acids, retinols, and vitamin A can be applied to the whole skin area. These agents work to balance the skin. AHAs are wonderful tools in slowly slothing away dead skin so that newer skin can appear.

Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are also good bets for beating back breakouts--and they don’t dry the skin too much. AHAs and retinols can make skin sensitive to sunlight, so use sunscreen every day.

No matter what combinations your skin comes in, the most important detail in your skincare regimen is knowledge of how to treat specific areas. Keep your skin clean and drink lots of water to keep it hydrated. Utilize products made especially for combination skin problems. Consult a dermatologist for severe acne or dryness problems.